Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video]

Jenson Button has become the first person to ever run an F1 car around Australia's legendary Mount Panorama Bathurst circuit. In an event organized by Vodafone, Button and Australian V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes traded laps in a 2008 McLaren MP4-23 car.

Button went out first and ran five laps of the circuit, clocking a best lap of 1:48 before coming in and giving Lowndes a turn. Lowndes' laps made him the first Australian to ever take an F1 car around Bathurst, beating Australian F1 superstar Mark Webber to the punch. Lowndes' best lap was a 1:49.

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Anonymous

4 Years Ago

Great to see an almost current F1 run at Bathurst finally but there are plenty of reasons why there'll never be a race there:Location, location, location - Its 200km from Sydney meaning its a long way from an airport capable of handling the 6 747s worth of freight that brings the circus to town. A logistical nightmare. There is also not enough accomodation to handle a 100k + crowd that regularly attends race day. I can't see many of the F1 crowd camping up at McPhillamy Park all weekend.The Track - While its great for the V8s, the videos show that its not up to F1 standard in terms of safety barriers, run off areas etc and making it comply to suit F1 would dilute the nature of the place. If Bernie continues his push for a night race there is also the cost of lighting the track. Ohh...and, as its a country area, lets not forget the kangaroos that have routinely hopped across the track.

I love Bathurst but I'm realistic enough to know F1 doesn't belong there. Anyway I'll be off in a few hours to enjoy the race in Melbourne!

Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

hot laps from Lowndes' Holden Monaro supercar.

Its actually NOT a Monaro, but in fact a Holden V8 Supercar with the sheet metal made to look like a Holden VE Commodore... I wouldn't say "VE Commodore BASED" car because the wheel base is some what shorter then a Commodore and it shares very little commonality with the consumer version other then headlights and front doors...

From WIki: The VE Commodore was initially rejected[by whom?] from taking part in the series due to its wheelbase being longer and wider than the BF Falcon. For the model to be homologated V8 Supercar granted the Commodore a custom fabricated bodyshell into which a limited number of production bodyshell panels are incorporated. As a result, the roofline is lower than production and the rear door is shorter such that externally the rear doors, roof and rear quarters all consist of specialised custom coachwork panels.

Incidently, the Ford competitor had a similar issue when they upgraded from the BF series to the current FG series and had to be modified accordingly.

Its these 2 issues as well as cost saving measures, that the V8 supercars will be going over to a "Car of the future" in which the holden and ford offerings will run the same basic frame and running gear such as diffs, brakes, cooling and fuel systems and a couple other things "control" type measures. It will also mean the sport will be open to other manufacturers who have a "4 door saloon car,"

As for the F1 around Bathurst, surely a great sight to see and if Jenson knew the track like Craig im sure there would have been more then a 1 second difference. Great to see an F1 driver driving our V8 supercars and enjoying it... He would be the second brittish man to drive Craig's car this month, the other being top gears, Jeremy clarkson..and the 3rd Brittish man to enjoy that much (James May was driven in it, but did not drive it)...

Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

Exceptional camera work at the beginning, but when it got to filming Jenson signing autographs, this guy sucked donkey balls. Ooh, look, the back of someone's head. Oh and now some semi-bald guy with a visible bald spot took off his hat.

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

I know...I may be "wrong" but I prefer the sounds of the V-8 Supercars to the F1 cars. It's like Quiet Riot or Accept compared to RUSH, the F1 cars being RUSH...they make beautiful music, but they get kinda annoying in the higher register. I can listen to the others all day. Go back 40 years though...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJiZa6nhsU4